(Marion) — The Marion Bulldogs had seven scoring plays of over 60 yards in a 65-20 thrashing of Florence on Friday night at Senior Night at Veterans Stadium.
Senior running back Christian Sanchez started the barrage of big plays on the night with a 66-yard touchdown run less than a minute into the game to put the Bulldogs on the board. Later in the first quarter, Marion freshman receiver Eli Parker took a short pass from sophomore quarterback Kade Pape and ran to the endzone with an 82-yard score.
In the second quarter, Bulldog senior lineman Garrett Mann lined up at running back and scored “Refrigerator Perry” style on a two-yard TD. Following a Florence touchdown, senior Gavin Soefje scooped up the blocked extra point in the endzone and ran the ball back 105 yards for a two-point score for Marion. And just before the end of the half, Bulldog senior tight end Hadley Mote rambled 80 yards for a TD after catching a pass out to the sideline from Pape.
In the third quarter, Marion senior defensive back P.J. Sheppard ran back a Florence fumble 80 yards for a touchdown. Later in the third, Soefje would score on a 75-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. And in the fourth quarter, junior running back Tanner Otis sprinted 62 yards for Marion’s final TD of the night.
The Bulldogs end the regular season with a 3-2 District 13-3A record. Marion finished in a three-way tie with Ingram Moore and Randolph for second in the district. After tiebreakers, the Bulldogs will be the district’s fourth seed in the bi-district round.
Marion will face District 14-3A champion Jourdanton in a rematch of last year’s bi-district playoff won by the Indians. Marion and Jourdanton will meet Thursday night at Floresville High School.